New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-02
O'NEIL FOUND GUILTY, TOO.
ONLY ONE BALLOT NECESSARY.
THE JURY ABSENT AN HOUR AND TWENTY
FIVE MINUTES.
THE CASE DISCUSSED BEFORE THE VOTE WAS TAKEN
-oNEIL UNMOvED-MR BROOKE vExED:
BY THE CHARGE-MR. MARITIME
THE OTHERS.

EXPECTS TO CONVICT ALL
THE OTHERS.
Inc name Of John ONeil was added to the
list OF convicted doodle" Aldermen at few min
utes after II o'clock last night.
1he twelve jurors selected to decide whether
ne mad or had not agreed to accept brbe for his
vote on The resolution granting franchise to the
broadway Surface Railroad, after sitting nearly
nine hours In their box in the Oyer and Terminer
courtroom, listening to the exhaustive arguments
by Charles W. Brooke, O'Nelps legal defender, and
Colonel Fellows, the oratorical representative of
the people, and having explicit instructions as to
the.r duties and an ANALYSIS of the evidence from
Judge Jarrett, retired to consider the case at
exactly o AT O'clock They were led by Captain
Ricketts, who had them in charge after they
were sworn in on Thursday, to the room on the
same floor Of the Court House. ordinarily occupied
by Part L Of the Special Term of the Supreme
Court. The doors leading to the apartment were
carefully locked and four officers, were detailed
TO guard them OIL the outside
Among those who had heard the Judges charge
the opinion generally prevailed that the jury
would return within fifteen minutes with a ver-
dict Of guilty, and for time no moved from
tho room. As time passed and no things came
from the jury-room ONel and his counsel began
to look hopeful and 30 suggest that disagree
patient and went to his private room. A little
later O'Nell. his counsel and the eight members
of his family who had occupied seats all the even
ing at the left of the bench went to a room which
was arranged for them the entrance Of the
courtroom.
AZ seven minutes past II the officers at the door
of the lury-room were informed that the jury had
agreed. There were little stir and hustle in the
courtroom when the announcement made.
ONel and his legal advisers, District Attorney
MARITIME and Assistants Fellows and Nicoll, Judge
Barrett and the court officers came in quickly
and went to their places. For moment not
sound could be heard in the room and all eyes
were turned upon ONcil. lie looked straight
ahead Of him, and beyond n few involuntary
movements in his throat he betrayed
no signs of the various emotions which must have
been surRng within him. His daughters had re-
ceived an IntmatIon of what the jury s decision
and did not return To their seats.
II just ll:l2 when Captain Ricketts, came
in nj the head OF the jurors IL there had been any
doubt 10 The verdict 1t was quickly dlspelled by
a glance at their faces. All seemed TO reaze that
they had been Obliged to perform a serious and
pleasant duty.
After calling tho roll Clerk welch
jury. asked for their verdict. Foreman Solomon
Rose Iesponded with a finn voice:
1--WE find the defendant guilty Of the charge in
the first count of he Indictment"
VNell looked at the jury as though somewhat
puzzled, hut no shade Of disappointment vas visible
Jury be polIed and each affirmed that the verdict
spoken by the foreman WAS his. 10 questions put by
Clerk Wech O'Neil said that he was nfty-siX years
old lived at No. 23l Centre-st.. and was n shoe
dealer. His responses were given promptly and
without the $! ghtcst trcmor IN his voice.
Mr.. Mitchell moved for an arrest of Judgment
and a new trlal aud requested that argu,
ment the motion be postponed until
next Tuesday,. Judge Barrett regarded the time
asked for as reasonable but SAID that as another
term OF the court convened Monday he preferred
10 give "a hearing on Tho motion this week and
fixed Friday morning at III o'clock rs the time
lie then thanked the Jury briefly. expressed
the hope that none OF them had suffered from he
prIyations incidental 10 jury duty. and Informed |
them that they were discharged from further SER |
vice.
When the court adjourned O'Neil was
surrounded by friends VINO conveyed !
their sympathy to him and endeavorcd
To cheer MIN bv assuring INN that he was certain
to get trial lie said little to them nd as
soon a. practicable escaped from the throng and |
was taken to the TOmbs.
From the jurors 1t was learned that tho proceed
lngs in the jnry-ro hal been carried on IN
was proposed to ballot at once. This !
was objected to by many who wished TO
discuss points III the case before they |
committed themselves. thorough review |
seemed apparent that all agreed. ballot taken.
Each OF the twelve pieces of paper marked
Guilty"
Mr.. Brooke said that he did not SEQ
other conclusion after listening to the charge. |
" IL was the most unfair presentation of a |
case ever heard of IN n court Of Justice the
way he characterized II.
account of his age, but was gratified with |
the success OF the prosecution. He thought he |
would have no difficulty III convcting tho other |
indicted Aldermen.